UMass Memorial reducing surgeries to fix equipment

UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester is cancelling some scheduled surgeries at its Memorial Campus because of a problem with instrument sterilizing equipment.

Chief Medical Officer Stephen Tosi said in a statement Friday that particles resembling ground pepper were found in the equipment. Tosi said the material isn't infectious and the affected instruments haven't been used on patients. He said the particles tested as inorganic and nontoxic.

He said the problem is partly with the water supply and partly with sterilizing system. He said the hospital is "working around the clock" to correct it, including installing additional water filters, equipment and changing water lines.

He said the hospital is temporarily sterilizing most equipment at its other facilities, but also needed to reduce the volume.

The Telegram & Gazette newspaper reported an internal memo on the situation Friday.